Method and system for controlling audio signals in multiple concurrent conference calls

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

0001The present disclosure relates generally to conference calls, and in particular to controlling the audio signals of participants in multiple concurrent conference calls.

BACKGROUND

0002Conference calls reduce the need to travel, and consequently save money and time. In the past, people participated in conference calls via a telephone, but today many different types of processing devices, including desktop and laptop computers, tablet processing devices, slate processing devices, and smartphones can send and receive audio signals, and thus may be used for conferencing. Because such processing devices may have a display, user interfaces have been developed which simplify setting up and/or participating in a conference call. Users of such processing devices typically wear headsets, headphones, or earbuds in conjunction with a microphone to send and receive voice signals.

0003It is not uncommon to receive invitations to participate in multiple conference calls that are scheduled at times that overlap one another. Typically the invitee must turn down one of the invitations, even though the invitee may want to participate in the call, and may know that the call will nevertheless take place at the requested time irrespective of whether the invitee accepts or rejects the invitation. A participant in a conference call may spend 95% of the time listening, and 5% or less of the time speaking. However, not knowing exactly when the invitee may be expected to speak, or may desire to speak, requires that the invitee listen to the entire call, diminishing his ability to participate in multiple conferences simultaneously.

0004Communications that occur via electronic devices are typically monaural; therefore, the voices of the participants in a conference generally sound as if they are emanating from the same location. In a conference call with a small number of participants where each participant may know the others, and may recognize the others' voices, monaural audio streams may be satisfactory. But as participants in a conference call begin to talk simultaneously, as frequently happens as a discussion gains momentum, communications quickly become indecipherable as listeners cannot discern who is saying what. Many conferencing systems attempt to improve this situation by providing participants with only the voice signals of the most active speaker, and those of the loudest participant attempting to interrupt the active speaker. This approach, however, effectively limits the conference to one or two speakers and tends to prioritize loud and persistent speakers.

0005For practical purposes, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to listen to concurrent conference calls using the same communications device, because the audio signals generated in each conference would sound as if they were emanating from the same position. Consequently, it would be difficult or impossible for the participant to intuitively distinguish which audio signals were associated with which conference.

0006Studies have established that the human brain can process multiple concurrent audio signals in a stereo audio environment much easier than in a monaural audio environment. Since many communication devices today, including many smartphones, are capable of providing a stereo signal to an output port, it would be beneficial if the audio signals associated with multiple simultaneous conference calls could be generated in stereo, and placed at different aural positions such that a participant in multiple concurrent conference calls could easily and intuitively distinguish those audio signals emanating from one conference call from the audio signals emanating from another conference call. This would allow a participant to participate in multiple concurrent conference calls, and relatively easily distinguish what is being said in each conference call.

SUMMARY

0007Embodiments disclosed herein relate to the control of audio signals associated with multiple concurrent conferences. In one embodiment, a user interface is displayed on a display, and the user interface depicts a first defined area which is associated with a first conference and a second defined area that is associated with a second conference. A first plurality of participant identifiers is displayed in association with the first defined area. Each of the first plurality of participant identifiers corresponds to a participant in the first conference. A second plurality of participant identifiers is displayed in association with the second defined area, and each of the second plurality of participant identifiers corresponds to a participant in the second conference. It is determined, via user input for example, that the first conference is a selected conference.

0008An aural position identifier identifies an aural position, with respect to a reference position, at which an audio signal may be aurally positioned. A plurality of first aural position identifiers is determined. Each first aural position identifier is based on a position of a corresponding participant identifier of the first plurality of participant identifiers and the reference position. A second aural position identifier is determined for the second defined area, and is different from each of the first aural position identifiers.

0009An audio signal of at least one participant in the first conference is provided to an output port at an aural position based on the first aural position identifier corresponding to the at least one participant. An audio signal from at least one participant in the second conference is concurrently provided to the output port at an aural position based on the second aural position identifier.

0010The user hears the participant in the first conference at the aural position identified by the corresponding first aural position identifier, and concurrently hears the participant in the second conference at the aural position identified by the second aural position identifier. Because the audio signals from the different conferences are at different aural positions, the user can easily discern from which conference each voice is emanating. Moreover, because the audio signals are aurally positioned via the user interface, the user can visually correlate the audio signals with particular conferences.

0011The audio signal generated by the user may be provided to the selected conference and not the non-selected conference. Thus, if the first conference is the selected conference, and the user begins to speak, the audio signal associated with the user's voice is provided to the participants in the first conference and not to those in the second conference. The user may easily select the second conference to be the selected conference, and thereafter the audio signals generated by the user will be provided to the second conference and not the first conference.

0012In one embodiment, the second defined area may overlap the first defined area, and the overlap area may include the second plurality of participant identifiers. Each participant corresponding to one of the second plurality of participant identifiers is a participant in both the first conference and the second conference. In this manner, the user may easily initiate a “side” conference with a subset of participants in a conference, while concurrently listening to those participants in the original conference who are not participating in the side conference.

0013In one embodiment, a volume of an audio signal may be based on a distance between a position of a defined area with respect to a reference position. For example, a user may drag a defined area associated with a non-selected conference from a first position on the user interface to a second position on the user interface which is farther from the reference position than the first position. In response, based on the increased distance, a volume of the audio signals that are generated in the non-selected conference may be decreased.

0014Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present embodiments and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the embodiments.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a system in which embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates an exemplary user interface according to one embodiment;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows the exemplary user interface illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> after the controlling participant has manipulated the user interface;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a high-level flowchart illustrating a method for controlling audio signals in multiple simultaneous conference calls according to one embodiment;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows the exemplary user interface illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> after the controlling participant has manipulated the user interface again;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows the exemplary user interface illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> after the controlling participant has selected the second conference;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows the exemplary user interface illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> after the controlling participant has deselected the second conference; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref> illustrate a method for controlling audio signals in multiple simultaneous conference calls according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0024The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the embodiments and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

0025Embodiments disclosed herein relate to controlling audio signals from multiple concurrent (i.e., simultaneous) conferences. While for purposes of illustration, the embodiments will be described herein in the context of business conferences, the embodiments disclosed herein may be utilized in conference calls in any context.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a system <b>10</b> in which embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced. The system <b>10</b> includes a plurality of processing devices, including a media server <b>12</b> and a plurality of communication devices <b>14</b>A-<b>14</b>E (generally, communication device <b>14</b> or communication devices <b>14</b>). The communication devices <b>14</b> may be any device capable of sending and receiving voice signals, and may comprise, for example, a computer; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a mobile phone, such as an Apple® iPhone®; or the like. The present embodiments typically operate in the context of a conference, wherein at least two users, such as a controlling participant <b>16</b>A and one or more participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>E (generally, participant <b>16</b> or participants <b>16</b>), use the communication devices <b>14</b>A-<b>14</b>E to talk with one another. The phrase “controlling participant” is used herein to distinguish the particular participant that is manipulating a user interface to control how he hears audio signals associated with multiple concurrent conferences, as discussed in greater detail herein, from the other participants in the conference. However, the controlling participant is otherwise no different from any other participant, and each participant may be a “controlling participant” in the sense that each participant may have the ability to manipulate a user interface to control how they hear audio signals associated with multiple concurrent conferences.

0027The communication devices <b>14</b> are communicatively coupled to the media server <b>12</b> via a network <b>18</b>. The communication devices <b>14</b>A-<b>14</b>E may connect to the network <b>18</b> via any suitable network access paths <b>20</b>A-<b>20</b>E (generally, network access path <b>20</b> or network access paths <b>20</b>), such as, for example, telephony technology, digital subscriber line technology, cable modem technology, cellular technology, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, or the like. Data, such as control signals and audio signals, as described in greater detail herein, are typically carried over a corresponding network access path <b>20</b>.

0028An exemplary communication device <b>14</b>, such as the communication device <b>14</b>A, includes a controller <b>22</b>, which may include one or more central processing units and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), for controlling the overall operation of the communication device <b>14</b>A. Program modules (not shown) stored in the memory may be used to adapt the controller to implement the functionality described herein.

0029The communication device <b>14</b>A may also include a communications interface <b>24</b> that is adapted to communicate with the network <b>18</b> to facilitate communications between the communication device <b>14</b>A and external devices, such as the media server <b>12</b>. The communication device <b>14</b>A also includes, or is coupled to, a display <b>26</b> upon which a user interface <b>28</b> may be displayed and manipulated by the controlling participant <b>16</b>A. During a conference, data received from the media server <b>12</b> via the communications interface <b>24</b> may be used to update the user interface <b>28</b>. Data generated by the communication device <b>14</b>A in response to manipulations of the user interface <b>28</b> may be provided to the media server <b>12</b> via the communications interface <b>24</b>. The communication device <b>14</b>A also preferably includes an audio processor <b>30</b> which generates an audio signal of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A, and sends the audio signal to the media server <b>12</b>. The phrase “audio signal” refers to the voice signals of a participant <b>16</b>. The audio signal is typically a digitized data stream that is generated by the audio processor <b>30</b> and represents the voice signals of the respective participant <b>16</b>. Over the course of a conference, the audio signal of any particular participant <b>16</b> is generally discontinuous, in that the audio signal is typically generated only when the participant <b>16</b> is actually speaking. As used herein, the phrase “incoming audio signal” will refer to an audio signal that is sent from a communication device <b>14</b> to the media server <b>12</b>, and the phrase “outgoing audio signal” will refer to an audio signal that is sent from the media server <b>12</b> to a communication device <b>14</b>.

0030The audio processor <b>30</b> receives outgoing audio signals from the media server <b>12</b> and provides the outgoing audio signals to an output port <b>31</b> to which a multi-channel capable device, such as a stereo headset <b>32</b>, may be coupled. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other multi-channel capable devices, such as stereo speakers, may also be used to provide the outgoing audio signals to the controlling participant <b>16</b>A.

0031Each of the communication devices <b>14</b> establishes a communication session <b>34</b>, denoted by reference characters <b>34</b>A-<b>34</b>E, respectively, with the media server <b>12</b>. A communication session <b>34</b> may comprise any type of session or connection between a respective communication device <b>14</b> and the media server <b>12</b> that enables the transmission of an audio signal from the respective communication device <b>14</b> to the media server <b>12</b>, and the receipt of an audio signal from the media server <b>12</b> to the respective communication device <b>14</b>, irrespective of the underlying physical infrastructure used to carry the audio signal, or the particular protocol used to establish the communication session <b>34</b> between the respective communication device <b>14</b> and the media server <b>12</b>. Suitable protocols may include, for example, TCP/IP, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), conventional PSTN signaling, or the like. The communication sessions <b>34</b> are typically physically implemented over a corresponding network access path <b>20</b>.

0032The media server <b>12</b> includes a communications interface <b>38</b> that interfaces with the communication sessions <b>34</b>. The communications interface <b>38</b> can comprise any suitable combination of hardware and/or software necessary to receive incoming audio streams from the communication sessions <b>34</b>, and send outgoing audio streams over the respective communication sessions <b>34</b>. For example, the communications interface <b>38</b> could comprise line cards if the communication sessions <b>34</b> carry analog voice signals, or could comprise Ethernet circuitry if the communication sessions <b>34</b> carry packetized voice signals. The media server <b>12</b> may also include an interactive voice recognition (IVR) processor <b>40</b> for routing a communication session <b>34</b> to the appropriate conference.

0033The media server <b>12</b> also includes a conference processor <b>42</b> that may establish one or more conferences between the participants <b>16</b>. The conference processor <b>42</b> includes a mixer <b>44</b> that enables the conference processor <b>42</b> to mix or combine multiple audio signals and provide a mixed outgoing audio signal to one or more communication sessions <b>34</b>, as directed by the controlling participant <b>16</b>A. Additional functionality provided by the mixer <b>44</b> will be described in greater detail herein. The conference processor <b>42</b> includes, or is coupled to, a three-dimensional (3D) spatial audio engine (3DSAE) <b>46</b>, which receives incoming audio signals and aural position identifiers, modifies the audio signals, and generates outgoing audio signals that include characteristics, such as phase and frequency information, that aurally position the outgoing audio signals at an aural position indicated by the aural position identifier. For example, the 3DSAE <b>46</b> may alter the audio signal of one participant <b>16</b> to appear to be originating from a position that is in front of and to the left of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A, and may alter the audio signal of a second participant <b>16</b> to appear to be originating from a position that is in front of and to the right of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A.

0034While for purposes of illustration the conference processor <b>42</b> is illustrated as containing the 3DSAE <b>46</b>, the functionality of the 3DSAE <b>46</b> may be integral with the conference processor <b>42</b> as illustrated, or may be separate from the conference processor <b>42</b> and coupled to the conference processor <b>42</b> via a communications path. Similarly, while the mixer <b>44</b> is illustrated separately from the 3DSAE <b>46</b>, the 3DSAE <b>46</b> may also have mixing capabilities in addition to, or in lieu of, mixing capabilities contained in the mixer <b>44</b>. Thus, the functionality provided by the conference processor <b>42</b>, the 3DSAE <b>46</b>, and the mixer <b>44</b> may be implemented by the media server <b>12</b> in one or more modules, depending on desired design criteria. For purposes of illustration and brevity, functionality provided by any of the conference processor <b>42</b>, the 3DSAE <b>46</b>, or the mixer <b>44</b> will generally be described as being provided by the conference processor <b>42</b> hereinafter. The media server <b>12</b> also includes a controller <b>48</b> that includes a central processing unit and RAM (not shown). The controller <b>48</b> is coupled to each of the communications interface <b>38</b>, the IVR processor <b>40</b>, and the conference processor <b>42</b>, to control operations thereof.

0035Embodiments disclosed herein enable the controlling participant <b>16</b>A to aurally position the audio signals generated by the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>E at desired aural positions with respect to the controlling participant <b>16</b>A. Aural positioning is provided by the conference processor <b>42</b> via the 3DSAE <b>46</b>. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> can aurally position an incoming audio signal by modifying the incoming audio signal to generate an outgoing audio signal stream that includes characteristics, such as frequency and phase information, that aurally position the outgoing audio signal so that it is perceived by a listener, such as the controlling participant <b>16</b>A, as originating from a designated position. The incoming audio signals may be monaural or may be multi-channel. The outgoing voice signals are multi-channel audio signals, such as stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio signals, and are provided to the controlling participant <b>16</b>A via a multi-channel output device, such as the stereo headset <b>32</b>. A 3DSAE <b>46</b> suitable for use in the present embodiments may be obtained from Avaya Inc., 211 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, N.J. 07920.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates an exemplary user interface <b>28</b> according to one embodiment, and will be discussed in conjunction with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The user interface <b>28</b> has a first defined area <b>50</b> and a second defined area <b>52</b>. The defined areas <b>50</b>, <b>52</b> are preferably visually distinguishable from one another, and from other portions of the user interface <b>28</b>. In the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the defined areas <b>50</b>, <b>52</b> comprise images of light beams emanating from projectors <b>54</b>, <b>56</b>, respectively, but it will be apparent that any visually distinguishing characteristic may be used to depict defined areas in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

0037The first defined area <b>50</b> is associated with a first conference and the second defined area <b>52</b> is associated with a second conference. A first plurality of participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D (generally, participant identifier <b>58</b> or participant identifiers <b>58</b>) are displayed in association with the first defined area <b>50</b>, and a second plurality of participant identifiers <b>58</b>E-<b>58</b>F are displayed in association with the second defined area. In one embodiment, the first conference may have been initiated by, for example, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A clicking on a New Conference button <b>60</b>, which may cause the first defined area <b>50</b> to be depicted. The controlling participant <b>16</b>A may then “drag and drop” the desired participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D from a contacts list <b>62</b> into the first defined area <b>50</b>. As each participant identifier <b>58</b> is dragged from the contacts list <b>62</b> and dropped into the first defined area <b>50</b>, the communication device <b>14</b>A may send a control signal to the conference processor <b>42</b> with the contact information, such as a telephone number or the like, of the participant <b>16</b> corresponding to the participant identifier <b>58</b>, requesting that the conference processor <b>42</b> initiate a communication session <b>34</b> with the communication device <b>14</b> identified by the contact information. In a similar manner, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A may initiate a second conference with the participants <b>16</b>E and <b>16</b>F. Alternately, the first conference may be a conference that was initiated by one of the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>D, and the user interface <b>28</b>, at the initiation of the conference, may depict the first defined area <b>50</b> and request that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A join the first conference.

0038While the participant identifiers <b>58</b> are depicted as iconic images for purposes of illustration, the participant identifiers <b>58</b> may be still images or photographs of the corresponding participants <b>16</b>, or may display actual video of the participants <b>16</b> by virtue of video data that is captured by the corresponding communication devices <b>14</b> associated with the participants <b>16</b> and provided to the communication device <b>14</b>A of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A.

0039In one embodiment, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A may select one of the conferences to be a selected conference. The selected conference may, for example, be the conference which the controlling participant <b>16</b>A wishes to speak to at a given point in time. The audio signal of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A may be provided to those participants <b>16</b> participating in the selected conference, but not provided to those in the non-selected conference. The controlling participant <b>16</b>A may select either the first conference or the second conference to be the selected conference as desired. In one embodiment, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A may select a conference by selecting the first defined area <b>50</b> or the second defined area <b>52</b> that is associated with the conference which the controlling participant <b>16</b>A seeks to make the selected conference.

0040The selection may be made via an input device such as a mouse or keyboard, or, if the display <b>26</b> is a touch display, via touch. As illustrated herein, the defined area associated with the selected conference will be distinguished from the defined area of the non-selected conference via darker, or thicker, lines that define the defined area. Thus, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the selected conference is the first conference, as illustrated by the first defined area <b>50</b> having substantially thicker lines that define the first defined area <b>50</b> compared to the lines that define the second defined area <b>52</b>. It should be apparent that any visually distinguishing characteristic may be used to distinguish between the defined area associated with the selected conference and the defined area associated with a non-selected conference.

0041The participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁represents a reference position of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A for aural positioning purposes of the audio signals of the participants <b>16</b> in the selected conference. Each participant <b>16</b> in the selected conference has a corresponding participant identifier <b>58</b> that is depicted in association with the first defined area <b>50</b>. As illustrated herein, the participants <b>16</b> correspond to the participant identifiers <b>58</b> that have the same alphabetic reference character. Thus, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A corresponds to the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁, the participant <b>16</b>B corresponds to the participant identifier <b>58</b>B, the participant <b>16</b>C corresponds to the participant identifier <b>58</b>C, and the participant <b>16</b>D corresponds to the participant identifier <b>58</b>D.

0042For each of the participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D in the user interface <b>28</b>, the communication device <b>14</b>A calculates an aural position identifier corresponding to the position of the respective participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D with respect to the reference position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. As discussed below, the reference position may also include an orientation attribute that identifies a reference direction from which an offset may be calculated or otherwise determined. The aural position identifier may comprise any suitable information that can identify, or otherwise define, the position of a respective participant identifier <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D with respect to the position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. For example, the aural position identifier may comprise an angle of the respective participant identifier <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D with respect to an orientation of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁, and a distance of the respective participant identifier <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>E from the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁.

0043Aural position identifiers are provided to and used by the 3DSAE <b>46</b> to generate an outgoing audio signal associated with a respective participant <b>16</b> with the appropriate characteristics, such as frequency and phase information, so that the outgoing audio signal is perceived by the controlling participant <b>16</b>A as originating from the position indicated by the aural position identifier. The distance information may be used by the 3DSAE <b>46</b> to alter the loudness characteristics of the outgoing audio signal.

0044For example, an aural position identifier may define an aural position via an angle of offset of a participant identifier <b>58</b> with respect to a particular orientation of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. Assume that the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁has an orientation toward a 0°/360° location on a 360° circle <b>64</b>. In other words, the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁is “looking” toward the 0/360° mark on the 360° circle <b>64</b>. Thus, the controlling participant's “ears” are oriented toward the 90° mark and the 270° mark, respectively. Note that the 360° circle <b>64</b> is provided for purposes of illustration, and would not necessarily be depicted in the user interface <b>28</b>.

0045The communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>B is at a 43° position (i.e., in front of and to the left of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁), and is located a distance <b>66</b> from the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. The aural position identifier thus, in this example, may include the angle, 43°, and the distance <b>66</b>. Note that the distance <b>66</b> may be calculated from any desired point on the participant identifier <b>58</b>B with respect to any desired point on the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. The communication device <b>14</b>A sends the media server <b>12</b> an aural position control signal that includes the aural position identifier and an identifier identifying the audio signals that are to be aurally positioned, such as a communication session identifier identifying the communication session <b>34</b>B which corresponds to the participant <b>16</b>B. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> aurally positions the audio signal associated with the participant <b>16</b>B at the aural position identified by the aural position identifier. The audio signal is presented to an output port of the communication device <b>14</b>A and heard by the controlling participant <b>16</b>A via a multi-channel output device, such as a headset <b>32</b>. The audio signal of the participant <b>16</b>B is perceived by the controlling participant <b>16</b>A as emanating from a position that is 43° from the direction the controlling participant <b>16</b>A is facing, and thus the position of the audio signal visually corresponds with the position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>B with respect to the orientation of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁in the user interface <b>28</b>.

0046Similarly, aural position identifiers may be calculated for the participants <b>16</b>C and <b>16</b>D based on the positions of the participant identifiers <b>58</b>C and <b>58</b>D, respectively, with respect to the position and orientation of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. The aural position identifiers are provided to the media server <b>12</b>, and the 3DSAE <b>46</b> aurally positions the audio signals of the participants <b>16</b>C and <b>16</b>D based on the aural position identifiers. In one embodiment, the distance of a participant identifier <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D from the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁may determine a volume of the audio signal of the corresponding participant <b>16</b>. Thus, for example, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the volume of the audio signal of the participant <b>16</b>D may be lower than the volume of the audio signals of the participants <b>16</b>B and <b>16</b>C because the participant identifier <b>58</b>D is farther from the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁than either of the participant identifiers <b>58</b>B or <b>58</b>C.

0047Audio signal volume control may also be implemented through one or more other techniques. For example, in response to a selection of a particular participant identifier <b>58</b>, a volume selection tool may be displayed on the user interface <b>28</b>. The controlling participant <b>16</b>A may adjust the volume selection tool, which may then cause the communication device <b>14</b>A to generate and send a control signal to the media server <b>12</b> indicating that the volume of the audio signal of the participant <b>16</b> who corresponds to the selected participant identifier <b>58</b> should be diminished.

0048While the controlling participant <b>16</b>A hears the audio signals of the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>D in the first conference, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A concurrently hears any audio signals generated by the participants <b>16</b>E or <b>16</b>F in the second conference. Preferably, the audio signals associated with the second conference are aurally positioned based on a position of the second defined area with respect to a reference position, such as the position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁, or based on the position of the participant identifiers <b>58</b>E or <b>58</b>F with respect to a reference position, such as the position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. Assume, for example, that the audio signals associated with the second conference are based on the position of the second defined area <b>52</b> with respect to the position of the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. In this example, the communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the second defined area is at a 285° position with respect to the orientation attribute of the reference position. The communication device <b>14</b>A provides an aural position identifier to the media server <b>12</b> identifying the 285° position, and optionally a distance of the second defined area <b>52</b> from the reference position. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> may then provide to the communication device <b>14</b>A audio signals generated in the second conference at the designated aural position, such that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A perceives the audio signal of either the participant <b>16</b>E or the participant <b>16</b>F at a position in front of and to the right of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A (i.e., 285° from the forward direction).

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows the exemplary user interface <b>28</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> after the controlling participant <b>16</b>A has manipulated the user interface <b>28</b>. In particular, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A has moved the second defined area <b>52</b> from a first location, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, to a second location, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. In response to the movement of the second defined area <b>52</b>, the communication device <b>14</b>A determines or otherwise calculates a new aural position identifier for the second defined area <b>52</b> with respect to the reference position. The communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the second defined area <b>52</b> is now at a 268° position with respect to the reference position, and generates an aural position identifier indicating this new position, and provides the aural position identifier to the media server <b>12</b>. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> thereafter provides any audio signals generated in the second conference at the 268° position (i.e., such that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A perceives the audio signals to be originating from a position to the right and slightly behind the controlling participant <b>16</b>A), and no longer provides the audio signals generated in the second conference at the 285° position.

0050<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a high-level flowchart illustrating a method for controlling audio signals in multiple simultaneous conference calls according to one embodiment. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> will be discussed in conjunction with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. The communication device <b>14</b>A displays the user interface <b>28</b>, which depicts the first defined area <b>50</b> and the second defined area <b>52</b> (step <b>1000</b>). A first plurality of participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D is displayed in the first defined area <b>50</b> (step <b>1002</b>). A second plurality of participant identifiers <b>58</b>E-<b>58</b>F is displayed in the second defined area <b>52</b> (step <b>1004</b>). It is determined that the first conference is the selected conference (step <b>1006</b>). As discussed above, the determination may be made, for example, via user input selecting the first defined area <b>50</b>. First aural position identifiers are determined for each of the first plurality of participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D based on the position of the respective participant identifiers <b>58</b> and the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁in the first defined area <b>50</b> (step <b>1008</b>). At least one second aural position identifier is determined for the second defined area <b>52</b> (step <b>1010</b>). The at least one second aural position identifier may be based on a position of the second defined area <b>52</b>, or on the position of one or more of the participant identifiers <b>58</b>E, <b>58</b>F. The communication device <b>14</b>A provides concurrently to an audio output port an audio signal of at least one of the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>D in the first conference at an aural position based on the first aural position identifier that corresponds to the at least one participant <b>16</b>, and an audio signal of at least one of the participants <b>16</b>E-<b>16</b>F is provided at an aural position based on the at least one second aural position identifier (step <b>1012</b>).

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows the exemplary user interface <b>28</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> after the controlling participant <b>16</b>A has manipulated the user interface <b>28</b>. In particular, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A has moved the second defined area <b>52</b> from a first location, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, to a second location, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, which is farther from the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. In response to the movement of the defined area, the communication device <b>14</b>A determines or otherwise calculates a new aural position identifier for the second defined area <b>52</b> with respect to the reference position. The communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the second defined area <b>52</b> is at the same orientation (i.e., a 268° position with respect to the reference position) but is farther from the reference position, and generates an aural position identifier identifying this new position, and provides the aural position identifier to the media server <b>12</b>. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> thereafter provides any audio signals generated in the second conference at the 268° position (i.e., such that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A perceives the audio signals to be originating from a position to the right and slightly behind the controlling participant <b>16</b>A), but at a decreased volume than prior to the movement of the second defined area <b>52</b>, based on the greater distance.

0052<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows the exemplary user interface <b>28</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> after the controlling participant <b>16</b>A has selected the second conference. In particular, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A may have, using an input device, clicked or otherwise indicated to the user interface <b>28</b> that the controlling participant has selected the second defined area <b>52</b>. In response, the user interface <b>28</b> visually distinguishes the second defined area <b>52</b>, such as, for example, through the use of darker, or thicker, lines to define the second defined area <b>52</b> than those that define the first defined area <b>50</b>. The communication device <b>14</b>A determines aural position identifiers for the participants <b>16</b>E and <b>16</b>F based on the positions of the corresponding participant identifiers <b>58</b>E and <b>58</b>F with respect to the reference position indicated by participant identifier <b>58</b>A₂. In particular, the communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the audio signal of the participant <b>16</b>E should be positioned at a 49° angle with respect to the reference position, and that the audio signal of the participant <b>16</b>F should be positioned at a 327° angle with respect to the reference position. The communication device <b>14</b>A provides the aural position identifiers to the media server <b>12</b>, along with an indication that the second conference is the selected conference. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> will thereafter provide audio signals of the participants <b>16</b>E and <b>16</b>F at aural positions such that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A will perceive the audio signal of the participant <b>16</b>E as originating in front of and to the left of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A, and the audio signal of the participant <b>16</b>F as originating in front of and to the right of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A. Moreover, because the second conference is the selected conference, the conference processor <b>42</b> will provide the audio signal of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A to the participants <b>16</b>E and <b>16</b>F, but not to the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>D.

0053The communication device <b>14</b>A also determines an aural position identifier for the first defined area <b>50</b> based on the position of the first defined area <b>50</b>, or based on the position of the participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>D with respect to the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₂. Assume that the communication device <b>14</b>A places all audio signals emanating from the first conference at an aural position based on a position of the first defined area <b>50</b>. In this example, the communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the first defined area <b>50</b> is at an 86° position with respect to the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₂. Thus, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A will perceive any discussions occurring in the first conference as originating directly to the left of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A.

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows the exemplary user interface <b>28</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> after the controlling participant <b>16</b>A has deselected the second conference. In this example, neither the first conference nor the second conference is a selected conference. The user interface <b>28</b> may depict both the first defined area <b>50</b> and the second defined area <b>52</b> such that neither has the distinguishing characteristic associated with a selected conference. A participant identifier <b>58</b>A₃may be depicted that is positioned in neither the first defined area <b>50</b> nor the second defined area <b>52</b>. The communication device <b>14</b>A may determine aural position identifiers for the first conference and the second conference based on the position of the first defined area <b>50</b> and the second defined area <b>52</b> with respect to the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₃. The communication device <b>14</b>A determines that the first defined area <b>50</b> is at a 117° position with respect to the reference position and that the second defined area <b>52</b> is at a 232° position with respect to the reference position.

0055The communication device <b>14</b>A provides the media server <b>12</b> with respective aural position identifiers for the first conference and the second conference, and an indication that neither conference is a selected conference. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> provides audio signals originating from the first conference at a 117° position, such that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A perceives such signals as originating behind and to the left of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A. The 3DSAE <b>46</b> provides audio signals originating from the second conference at a 232° position, such that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A perceives such signals as originating behind and to the right of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A. The conference processor <b>42</b> does not provide the audio signal of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A to either the first conference or the second conference.

0056<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref> illustrate a method for controlling audio signals in multiple simultaneous conference calls according to another embodiment. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref> illustrates a user interface <b>28</b> having a first defined area <b>68</b> corresponding to a first conference having six participants <b>16</b>A-<b>16</b>F. As discussed with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-7</figref>, the communication device <b>14</b>A may determine aural position identifiers that correspond to each of the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>F based on the position of the corresponding participant identifiers <b>58</b>B-<b>58</b>F with respect to the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₁. Assume that during the first conference, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A desires to have a side conference, or second conference, with selected participants <b>16</b> in the first conference. In particular, the controlling participant <b>16</b>A wishes to speak to the participants <b>16</b>D-<b>16</b>F but not participants <b>16</b>B and <b>16</b>C.

0057Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>, assume that the controlling participant <b>16</b>A activates the New Conference button <b>60</b>, and a second defined area <b>70</b> is depicted in the user interface <b>28</b>. The controlling participant <b>16</b>A moves (for example, via an input device) the second defined area <b>70</b> such that it overlaps a portion of the first defined area <b>68</b> and encompasses only the participant identifiers <b>58</b>D-<b>58</b>F. In response, the communication device <b>14</b>A may send a control signal to the media server <b>12</b> initiating a second conference with participants <b>16</b>A and <b>16</b>D-<b>16</b>F. The communication device <b>14</b>A also determines first aural position identifiers for each of the participants <b>16</b>D-<b>16</b>F, as described above, based on the position of the corresponding participant identifiers <b>58</b>D-<b>58</b>F with respect to the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₂. The communication device <b>14</b>A also determines at least one second aural position identifier based on the first defined area <b>68</b>. The communication device <b>14</b>A communicates the first and second aural position identifiers to the media server <b>12</b>, along with an indication that the second conference is the selected conference. In response, the 3DSAE <b>46</b> generates audio signals associated with the participants <b>16</b>D-<b>16</b>F at the aural positions identified by the corresponding first aural position identifiers, and any audio signals originating in the first conference by either the participant <b>16</b>B or the participant <b>16</b>C at the aural position identified by the second aural position identifier.

0058Alternately, the communication device <b>14</b>A may determine a second aural position identifier for the participant <b>16</b>B and the participant <b>16</b>C based on the position of the corresponding participant identifiers <b>58</b>B and <b>58</b>C with respect to the reference position indicated by the participant identifier <b>58</b>A₂. The conference processor <b>42</b> provides the audio signal of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A to the participants <b>16</b>D-<b>16</b>F, but not to the participants <b>16</b>B and <b>16</b>C. The controlling participant <b>16</b>A may again select the first defined area <b>68</b> to be the selected conference, at which point each of the participants <b>16</b>B-<b>16</b>F would be provided the audio signal of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A.

0059While for purposes of illustration only two concurrent conferences have been discussed herein, the invention is not limited to two concurrent conferences, and has applicability to any number of concurrent conferences. Further, while the embodiments have been discussed in the context of the controlling participant <b>16</b>A being the controlling participant, each of the participants <b>16</b> may have an analogous capability on their respective communication devices <b>14</b>, and each may be able to control audio signals in multiple concurrent conference calls.

0060Various aspects of the present embodiments may be embodied in instructions that are stored in hardware, and may reside, for example, in RAM, flash memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable or computer-usable storage medium known in the art. All or a portion of the embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, such as the computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program code embodied therein. The computer-readable program code can include software instructions for implementing the functionality of the embodiments described herein. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a media server <b>12</b>, or a communication device <b>14</b>, for example.

0061Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.